Returning to exercise - Face Coverings Update 15th May, 2021
A few days ago, the government published new guidance about the wearing of face coverings in exercise classes such as ours. As we restart our classes on 17 May we are using this guidance to make some changes to our rules about face coverings. People are no longer required to wear face coverings when taking part in sport and physical activity. However, the government strongly advises that when you are mixing indoors with people not in your own household, you should keep your distance and wear a face covering.
As you know, MKCCG is not like mainstream gyms, where the users are less likely to become seriously unwell should they catch Covid. Taking the advice of the government and our professional bodies into account, the following has been agreed:
Face coverings -
- Members should wear a mask or other face covering when entering and leaving Hinton Hall and when moving around the building. The covering can be removed before starting exercise but should be put on again if, say, you need to visit the toilet.
- If your breathing, anxiety or health is made worse by wearing a face covering you do not have to wear one. In such cases we ask that members are mindful and respectful of other members, as reasons for not being able to wear a face covering may not be visible.
- The World Health Organisation has recommended that individuals need not wear face coverings during exercise as it may make breathing difficult.
- If a member wishes to wear a face covering when exercising, we respect that it is their choice. However, we politely ask that you remove the covering if you feel light-headed or dizzy. Face coverings can become damp when exercising and this can affect breathing. We would suggest you bring a spare face covering.
Face shields / Visors.
- Face visors or face shields do not give the same level of protection as a face covering or mask. They don’t provide a tight fit around the nose and mouth to prevent an individual passing on the infection. Also, they don’t provide the wearer with as much protection as a mask from droplets entering the nose and mouth. The British Heart Foundation says that if you are unable to wear a face covering, a face shield is better than nothing at all. We do have face visors and face covering should you require them whilst in the building.
Although wearing a face covering reduces the risk of spreading infection by protecting people you meet, it does not replace the need for social distancing. Hand washing or sanitising, staying 2 meters (6 feet) apart from each other, and sneezing or coughing into a tissue or your elbow will help to keep everyone safer.
The government and public health have been encouraging us all to help slow the spreading of the virus by getting vaccinated and by taking regular rapid coronavirus tests if we do not have symptoms. These tests are freely available from your local pharmacist or can be ordered for free through the official government website. They help to identify people who may be infected by the virus but who have no symptoms. If your test is positive, you should follow NHS guidelines and self-isolate for 10 days. For more information click here:
Regular rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) tests if you do not have symptoms
Ordering coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow tests
How to do a rapid lateral flow test
Positive test result for coronavirus (COVID-19)
Up-to-date guidance, in plain English
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